Call (833) 4LAWDOG

High-side & low-side
crash lawyers.

You went down alone. That doesn't mean it was your fault. We investigate the real cause — a road defect, another driver's action, or a mechanical failure — before anyone assumes rider error.

Free case review → Call (833) 4LAWDOG
No fee unless we win Free consultation, 24/7 Se habla español Serving all of California

High-side & low-side crashes

A single-bike crash isn't automatically a rider's fault.

A low-side crash happens when the rear wheel loses traction and slides out from under the motorcycle. A high-side crash happens when that sliding wheel suddenly regains grip, violently flipping the bike — and often the rider — up and over. Both are frequently labeled "single-vehicle" crashes, and both are frequently assumed by insurers to be the rider's own fault by default. That assumption is often wrong.

In our experience, the actual cause is external far more often than insurers admit: a pothole, oil slick, or gravel patch the rider had no way to see in time; another driver's abrupt, negligent lane change or sudden stop that forced an evasive maneuver; or a mechanical failure in a tire, brake, or suspension component caused by a manufacturing or maintenance defect. Non-contact crashes — where another driver's action caused the loss of control without any direct impact — are legally recognized, and that driver can still be held liable.

These cases require investigation, not assumption. We examine the road surface at the crash location, the mechanical condition of the motorcycle, witness accounts of any nearby vehicle activity, and — where warranted — retain accident reconstruction and product liability experts. We do not accept the "rider error" default without first ruling it out.

If a government-maintained road defect was involved, Government Code § 911.2 gives you just six months to file. If a private manufacturer or another driver caused the crash, the standard two-year deadline applies. Contact us today — physical evidence at the scene and on your bike changes fast.

Step-by-step

What to do after a single-bike crash.

The key question is why you went down. Document everything that might answer it before the evidence changes.

Free case review →
1
At the scene — immediate
Photograph the road surface before anything changes.

Look for and photograph any pothole, gravel, oil slick, debris, or surface irregularity at the exact point where you lost control. This may be your only opportunity before the hazard is repaired or removed.

2
At the scene
Call 911 and get a police report.

Ask that the officer document the road condition and any nearby vehicle activity, not just the crash itself. Get the report number before you leave.

3
At the scene
Note any other vehicle that may have caused you to react.

If another car's sudden lane change, stop, or turn forced you to swerve or brake before you lost control, get its description and, if possible, witness accounts confirming what happened.

4
Same day
See a doctor even if you feel okay.

High-side crashes in particular can involve violent ejection forces. Adrenaline can mask serious injury. A same-day medical visit establishes the causation record your claim depends on.

5
Within days
Preserve your motorcycle exactly as it is — do not repair anything.

Your bike's tires, brakes, and suspension components need to be examined before any repair. If a mechanical defect contributed to your crash, this evidence is often decisive and can be permanently lost once repairs begin.

6
As soon as possible
Call Law Dog before assuming — or letting an insurer assume — it was your fault.

Insurers default to rider error in single-vehicle crashes because it's the cheapest explanation for them. We investigate the actual cause first, retaining reconstruction and mechanical experts where warranted before any conclusion is accepted.

Common injuries

Ejection forces produce
the most severe outcomes.

High-side crashes, in particular, are associated with some of the most severe injury outcomes in motorcycle litigation due to the violent ejection mechanism involved.

Traumatic Brain Injury
The ejection forces in a high-side crash frequently produce head impact at significant velocity, causing concussion or more severe TBI even in helmeted riders.
Spinal Cord Injury
Being thrown from the bike can produce serious spinal trauma, including fractures and, in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis.
Multiple Fractures
The uncontrolled nature of the fall in both high-side and low-side crashes commonly produces multiple simultaneous fractures across different parts of the body.
Road Rash
Sliding across pavement in a low-side crash causes abrasion injuries ranging from minor to severe, sometimes requiring skin grafting.
Shoulder & Joint Injuries
Impact with the ground during an uncontrolled fall commonly damages the shoulder, knee, and hip joints, requiring imaging and sometimes surgical repair.
Internal Injuries
Blunt torso trauma from a high-force fall or ejection can cause internal bleeding that isn't immediately apparent. Prompt imaging is essential.
What they don't want you to know

The "rider error" default is a shortcut, not a finding.

Single-vehicle crashes are the easiest claims for insurers to deny outright. Here's how they do it.

Tactic 01
Assuming rider error without investigation
Because there's often no other vehicle to blame, insurers frequently close the file with "rider error" as the default explanation — without examining the road surface or the bike's mechanical condition. We investigate the actual cause before accepting any conclusion.
Tactic 02
Denying a "phantom vehicle" claim outright
When another driver's action caused a loss of control without contact, insurers sometimes reject the claim simply because there was no impact between vehicles. California law recognizes non-contact liability — we build the evidentiary case even without a collision.
Tactic 03
Blaming speed without evidence
Speed allegations are common in single-vehicle crashes because there's no other driver's account to contradict them. We use accident reconstruction and physical evidence, not assumptions, to establish actual crash dynamics.
Tactic 04
Rushing you toward a quick, low settlement
An early low offer is designed to close a single-vehicle file before an investigation can uncover an external cause. Never accept an offer until the actual cause of your crash has been fully investigated.
Get a free case review No obligation. We tell you exactly what your case is worth before you decide anything.

Questions & answers

High-side / low-side crash FAQ.

No. A single-bike crash is not automatically the rider's fault. High-side and low-side crashes are frequently caused by external factors: a road defect or hazard, a driver whose sudden or negligent maneuver forced the rider to swerve or brake abnormally, or a mechanical failure caused by a defective part. Insurers often assume rider error by default — one of the first things we do is investigate whether an external cause was actually responsible.
A low-side crash occurs when the rear wheel loses traction and slides out from under the bike, typically causing the rider and bike to slide along the ground. A high-side crash occurs when a sliding rear wheel suddenly regains traction, violently flipping the bike up and over — a mechanism that tends to produce more severe injuries. Both can result from the same underlying causes: road hazards, evasive maneuvers, or mechanical failure.
Yes. If another driver's negligent action — an abrupt lane change, running a stop sign, opening a door — forced you to swerve or brake suddenly and you lost control as a result, that driver can be held liable even without direct contact. These are sometimes called "non-contact" or "phantom vehicle" crashes, and establishing them requires strong witness or dashcam evidence.
If a manufacturing or design defect in a tire, brake system, suspension component, or other part caused sudden loss of control, California product liability law allows a claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or in some cases the mechanic who serviced the part. These cases require expert mechanical analysis of the failed component.
Through careful physical evidence: skid and scrape patterns showing the mechanics of the loss of control, photographs of any road defect or hazard at the scene, examination of the bike's tires and mechanical components, witness accounts of any other vehicle's action, and where warranted, accident reconstruction analysis. We move quickly, since road conditions and physical evidence can change within days.
Two years from the date of the crash under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 for claims against a private party or manufacturer. Six months under Government Code § 911.2 if a government-maintained road defect was involved. Call an attorney as soon as you are physically able.
Time limit

Two years to file. Six months if the road is to blame.

California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 gives you two years from the crash date for claims against a private party or manufacturer. If a government-maintained road defect contributed to your crash, the deadline is just six months under Government Code § 911.2. The physical evidence that determines which applies — and who's responsible — changes fast. The sooner we start investigating, the more we can establish.

Start your case today → Call (833) 4LAWDOG